Mike Adams, the Health Ranger
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 What studies have shown is for every 1 percent that you raise your hdl cholesterol there's 2 percent reduction in cardiovascular risk for heart attacks and strokes from cardiovascular causes in men. A 2 percent reduction in men and a 3 percent reduction in women. Say a 50-year-old man's HDL is 36. We get it up to 40, which is about a 10 percent increase. That would translate to a 20 percent reduction in risk.
Mike: That reduction in risk blows away a lot of prescription drugs in terms of efficacy, right?
Goodman: Absolutely. |
David W. Grotto, RD, LDN
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 A cross-sectional study conducted in France involving 793 subjects found that walnut consumption increased blood hdl cholesterol (healthy type). A case-controlled study involving fifty-two subjects fed twenty grams per day of walnuts for eight weeks found significant increases in their hdl cholesterol and decreases in their triglycerides.
CANCER: Gamma-tocopherol, a form of vitamin E that is abundant in walnuts, may help fight breast, prostate, and lung cancer.
DIABETES: Walnuts may improve insulin resistance in those with type 2 diabetes. |
J. Douglas Bremner
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 Your body makes hdl cholesterol for your protection. Studies suggest that high levels of hdl cholesterol reduce your risk of heart attack.
Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) is known as "bad" cholesterol. Too much LDL cholesterol, a condition known as hypercholesterolemia, can clog arteries and increase the risk of heart attack and stroke. Cholesterol collects in a damaged section of the artery wall in something called a plaque, which is a collection of calcium, cholesterol, and inflammatory scar tissue. |
Jonny Bowden, Ph.D., C.N.S.
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 A study in the 2002 American Heart Journal showed that a relatively small amount of niacin added to a statin drug regimen led to significant improvements in hdl cholesterol. (Remember, statin drugs are usually good at reducing the "bad" LDL cholesterol but do not have a significant impact on raising the "good" hdl cholesterol. |
| What niacin does that medications can't do is both lower the LDL cholesterol and raise the hdl cholesterol. This one-two punch can't really be done with medications, most of which lower either total cholesterol or LDL cholesterol but don't do anything to raise the "good" stuff. In numerous human studies, niacin has consistently shown increases in HDL by up to 45 percent and decreases in LDL by as much as 54 percent. And no matter where you stand on the cholesterol controversy, raising hdl cholesterol is a good thing. |
Marshall Editions
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 Green tea: This tea contains polyphenol compounds, which are useful in lowering total cholesterol, decreasing the oxidation of LDL cholesterol, and increasing hdl cholesterol. The latter is interesting as there are few other herbs that are useful for increasing hdl cholesterol. Drink 3-4 cups of green tea daily and test your blood cholesterol levels after two to three months. If the caffeine in green tea is intolerable, drink decaffeinated green tea or take capsules of standardized green tea extracts from which the caffeine has been removed. |
Thomson Healthcare, Inc.
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 The LDL:HDL cholesterol ratio was marginally decreased in the carob fiber group compared to the placebo group (p = 0.058). Carob fiber consumption also lowered triglycerides in females (p = 0.030). Lipid lowering effects were more pronounced in females than in males (Zunft et al., 2003). |
Tori Hudson, N.D.
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 Monitor fasting levels of total cholesterol, hdl cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, cholesterol/HDL ratio, triglycerides, and blood glucose. Consult with your health-care provider regarding at what age to start and how frequently ECGs, stress ECGs, stress echocardiograms, and cardiac or carotid artery imaging may be needed on an individual basis depending on symptoms and suspicion of CVD.
• More sophisticated testing as needed or desired: homocysteine, alpha-lipoprotein (a), fibrinogen, C-reactive protein, HDL subtractions, LDL subtractions. |
| Virgin olive oils have more phenols, which appear to provide the greatest benefits by increasing hdl cholesterol levels and reducing the oxidative damage on lipids. Phenols are a class of naturally occurring compounds found in fruits, vegetables, tea, red wine, and grape juice that are in essence antioxidants. These cardioprotective phenols included flavonoids, resveratrol, and curcumin. |
| I generally recommend higher amounts of vitamin E because there are so many other benefits for women, including relieving cyclic breast pain, raising beneficial hdl cholesterol, and providing antioxidant protection.
Vitamin E
150-800 IU per day
Calcium. Calcium supplementation for menstrual cramps has been used by women as a self-care treatment for many years. Muscles need calcium to maintain their normal muscle tone; if they are deficient in calcium, they can more easily cramp. This is true of the uterine muscle as well. |
Andreas Moritz
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 Researchers studied all the main markers believed to be a risk, including total cholesterol, LDL and hdl cholesterol, triglycerides, and concentrations of apoB and apoAl. Over the course of the study, 864 men and 359 women died from heart attacks. While comparing the blood profiles of these heart attack victims to the remainder of the participants, the researchers found that an unbalanced apo ratio was the strongest predictor of heart attack death among all of the markers studied. Apo ratio was the only marker consistent over all age groups. |
Tori Hudson, N.D.
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| A recent study of 30 patients who consumed 5 grams of raw garlic for 42 days found significant decreases in total and LDL cholesterol and increased hdl cholesterol. These benefits were reversed after 42 days of no garlic.302
Garlic has also been shown to lower blood pressure slightly,303 inhibit clotting,304 and regulate heart rhythms.305'306 Garlic is not as aggressive at lowering serum cholesterol and triglycerides as some of the newer pharmaceuticals, but it also does not have any of their side effects. |
| Alcohol tends to raise hdl cholesterol, which likely contributes to its cardio-protectiveness. Alcohol also has a beneficial effect on decreasing blood clotting.
It is not clear whether there are any significant differences between red wine, white wine, liquor, and beer. However, researchers have observed the "French paradox": in France, saturated fat intake and mean cholesterol levels are high, but heart disease mortality is low. Wide publicity about this paradox has asserted that red wine consumption in France is high and is responsible for the unexpected results. |
Ray D. Strand
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 When we see elevated triglyceride levels along with lower hdl cholesterol levels, hypertension, or unusual weight gain, we need to recognize the possible development of Syndrome X and accelerated cardiovascular damage that may have already begun.
Rather than simply treating the diseases that insulin resistance causes, we need to aggressively treat the insulin resistance itself. Isn't it amazing that such simple lifestyle changes can effect a near-miracle: the disappearance of diabetes?
FIFTEEN
Chronic Fatigue and Fibromyalgia
"I'm just so tired—all the time. |
| Glucagon utilizes fat, lowers blood pressure, decreases triglycerides and LDL cholesterol, and raises hdl cholesterol. This is eating for hormonal control rather than calorie control. I tell my patients that they are eating a healthy diet that has the side effect of fat loss.
Exercise
Modest exercise has tremendous health benefits. And exercise is especially critical for the patient with Syndrome X or diabetes mellitus. Why? |
Tori Hudson, N.D.
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| There have been some concerns about estrogen/testosterone therapy reversing the increased hdl cholesterol achieved with estrogen alone. The combination of esterified estrogens and methyltestosterone has been shown to decrease triglycerides, LDL, HDL, and total cholesterol in postmenopausal women. However, a two-year study of estrogen/testosterone therapy produced no change in LDL levels but did show significant reductions in triglycerides and very low-density lipoprotein, and also reduced HDL levels. |
Ray D. Strand
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| I repeated Joe's blood work twelve weeks later and documented amazing improvement: his cholesterol level dropped from 250 to 150, his hdl cholesterol increased 10 points to 41, and his triglyceride level plummeted from 1,208 to 102. His triglyceride/HDL ratio had decreased from 40 to 2.5. Joe accomplished all of this without any medication and within just twelve weeks. Both he and I were thrilled.
If you are in a health predicament like Joe's, you can achieve a similar outcome with the same commitment to lifestyle and eating adjustments. Syndrome X and its deadly ramifications can be beat. |
J. Douglas Bremner
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| The lesson from Torcetrapib is that just because medications have actions that we think should be helpful (like raising hdl cholesterol), that doesn't mean they necessarily will be. In the case of statins, lowering LDL cholesterol is not always associated with lowering mortality or even in some cases heart attack risk.
Again, 13 million Americans take statins each year. |
Dr. Abram Hoffer, MD, FRCP (C) and Dr. Harold D. Foster, PhD
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 Wysong, P. High hdl cholesterol may protect against dementia. The Medical Post August 10, 2004; 40:9.
16 Hoffer A. Editorial: "Toxic Vitamins." lournal of Orthomolecular Medicine 2003:18:123-125.
17 Hoffer A. Side effects of over-the-counter drugs, fournal of Orthomolecular Medicine 2003;18:168-72.
18 Bobkova NV. The impact of mineral ascorbates on memory loss. Paper presented at the III World Congress on Vitamin C. Victoria, BC: Committee for World Health, 2001.
20 Bobkova NV, Nesterova IV, Dana E, Nesterov VI, Aleksandrova IIu, Medvinskaia NI, Samokhia AN. |
Thomson Healthcare, Inc.
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| Insulin Resistance Syndrome
Systemic arterial compliance (elasticity) increased with flaxseed oil supplementation in 12 overweight subjects showing one or more markers for insulin resistance syndrome (comprising obesity, low hdl cholesterol, raised triglyceride levels, hypertension, or glucose intolerance. Insulin response to flaxseed oil exceeded that of either control period (p=0.16) and of Sunola (nonsignificant). |
Russell L. Blaylock, M.D.
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 HDL Cholesterol Levels
In the lay press, hdl cholesterol is known as good cholesterol. Its function is to remove cholesterol from the tissues and blood stream, but it should be recognized that even oxidized HDL can contribute to atherosclerosis. Fortunately, it is more difficult to oxidize than LDL. Higher levels of HDL appear to be protective.
Triglycerides
These are esterified fatty oils. High levels of triglycerides also act as an independent risk factor separate from all other factors. |
Thomson Healthcare, Inc.
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| No significant differences were observed between blood parameters of the two groups; however, modest weight loss improved hdl cholesterol and blood pressure (Diepvens et al, 2006).
A randomized, parallel, placebo-controlled study was performed to investigate whether Green Tea improves weight maintenances by preventing or limiting weight regain after weight loss of 5 to 10% in overweight and moderately obese subjects. A total of 104 participants received a 4-week, very low-energy diet intervention, followed by a weight-maintenance period of 13 weeks including either Green Tea or placebo. |
| In another study, Evening Primrose oil was not successful in changing serum cholesterol, hdl cholesterol or triglyceride levels in hyperlipidemic patients. (Viikari & Lehtonen, 1986). Supplementation with Evening Primrose oil did not affect serum lipoproteins or platelet function in hypertriglyceri-demic patients (Boberg et al, 1986).
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Fifty three percent of subjects showed improvements in irritable bowel symptoms with Evening Primrose oil. |
| Changes in plasma hdl cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and triglyceride concentrations did not differ between the two treatment groups. Particle size also was not affected. The results showed that ALA does not seem to decrease CVD risk by altering lipoprotein particle or plasma lipoprotein concentration (Harper et al, 2006).
Flaxseed reduced serum LDL cholesterol levels significantly (p< 0.02) compared with sunflower seeds in a double-blind, crossover trial. |
| Numerous double-blind, placebo-controlled studies in patients with high cholesterol levels, demonstrated that Garlic supplements lowered total serum cholesterol levels by 6% to 12%, LDL cholesterol by 4% to 15%, triglyceride levels by 15%, and increased hdl cholesterol levels by 0% to 22%. The majority of studies used Garlic powder in doses of 900 mg to 1200 mg a day (providing a daily dose of at least 10 mg alliin or a total allicin potential of 4000 meg) (Kanner et al, 2001; Bordia et al, 1998; Lawson, 1998; Orekhov & Grunwald, 1997). |
Dr. Steven R. Gundry
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 Not only that, but her hdl cholesterol is 95, up from 50, while her LDL is 60, down from 95. Her insulin level is an exemplary 2! Not only is she delighted, her husband now gives me a mischievous smile every time he sees me in the hall. calories than you used to without reducing the amount of food you're eating. As I just discussed, calorie optimization induces hormesis, as does exposure to plant toxins. But plant toxins are reduced or inactivated by cooking. |
Neal D. Barnard and Bryanna Clark Grogan
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 High-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol. hdl cholesterol is often called good cholesterol because it carries cholesterol out of the body. Generally speaking, the higher your hdl cholesterol, the better. Current goals are to have an HDL level above 45 mg/dl (1.2 mmol/1) for men and above 55 mg/dl (1.4 mmol/1) for women.
Some doctors, however, interpret HDL in the context of your total cholesterol concentration: In this case, a favorable HDL reading would be at least one-third of your total cholesterol. For example, if your total cholesterol is 150, a healthy HDL would be 50 or above. |
Elaine Magee
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 Almonds (and most nuts) contain large amounts of oleic acid (a monounsaturated fatty acid), which may help raise hdl cholesterol and possibly lower LDL cholesterol. Plus, almonds contain a vegetable protein that may also lower LDL. One-quarter cup of roasted almonds contributes around 11 grams of monounsaturated fat and contains almost 8 grams of plant protein.
Almonds offer a fiber benefit. Almonds contain mostly insoluble fiber, which helps keep bowel movements regular and may help reduce the risk of colon problems, hemorrhoids, varicose veins, and obesity (by making us feel full). |
J. Douglas Bremner
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| Studies suggest that high levels of hdl cholesterol reduce your risk of heart attack.
Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) is known as "bad" cholesterol. Too much LDL cholesterol, a condition known as hypercholesterolemia, can clog arteries and increase the risk of heart attack and stroke. Cholesterol collects in a damaged section of the artery wall in something called a plaque, which is a collection of calcium, cholesterol, and inflammatory scar tissue. The plaque can either build up to the point that it clogs the artery, or it can rupture and clog the artery that way. |
Mehmet C. Oz., M.D. and Michael F. Roizen, M.D.
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 Meanwhile, as part of your homeland security team, your healthy hdl cholesterol works to clear that LDL cholesterol out of the area. Think of your LDL as a bus carrying loads of hooligans and dropping them off in your arteries to do damage to them, while your HDL serves as a high-speed paddy wagon that zips through your arteries to get the rogue elements off the streets. HDL is mostly made in intestines and looks like a plastic baggie that wraps cholesterol so that it can be more easily excreted.
Like TVs, toy trucks, and lingerie, cholesterol comes in different sizes. |
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